Abstract: A persistent phosphor of formula I is provided, along with methods for making and using the phosphor: AxAlyO4:Euj, REk, Bm, Znn, Coo, Scp ??I wherein: A is Ba, Sr, Ca, or a combination of these metals; x is greater than about 0.75 and less than about 1.3; y is greater than or equal to about 1.6 and less than or equal to 2; j is greater than about 0.0005 and less than about 0.1; k is greater than about 0.0005 and less than about 0.1; m is greater than or equal to 0 and less than about 0.30; n is greater than 0 and less than about 0.10; o is greater than 0 and less than about 0.01; p is greater than 0 and less than about 0.05; and RE is Dy, Nd, or a combination thereof. Applications for such phosphors include use in toys, emergency equipment, clothing, and instrument panels, among others.

Abstract: A persistent phosphor of formula I is provided, along with methods for making and using the phosphor: AxAlyO4:Euj,REk,Bm,Znn,Coo,Scp ??I wherein: A is Ba, Sr, Ca, or a combination of these metals; x is greater than about 0.75 and less than about 1.3; y is greater than or equal to about 1.6 and less than or equal to 2; j is greater than about 0.0005 and less than about 0.1; k is greater than about 0.0005 and less than about 0.1; m is greater than or equal to 0 and less than about 0.30; n is greater than 0 and less than about 0.10; o is greater than 0 and less than about 0.01; p is greater than 0 and less than about 0.05; and RE is Dy, Nd, or a combination thereof. Applications for such phosphors include use in toys, emergency equipment, clothing, and instrument panels, among others.

Abstract: A long-lived phosphor composition is provided, along with methods for making and using the composition. More specifically, in one embodiment, the phosphor comprises a material having a formula of Ax-y-zAl2-m-n-o-pO4:Euy, REz, Bm, Znn, Coo, Scp. In this formula, A may be Ba, Sr, Ca, or a combination of these metals, x is between about 0.75 and 1.3, y is between about 0.0005 and 0.1, z is between about 0.0005 and 0.1, m is between about 0.0005 and 0.30, n is between about 0.0005 and 0.10, o is between about 0 and 0.01 and p is between about 0 and 0.05. RE is Dy, Nd, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, methods are provided for making persistent phosphors comprising the formulations above. Other embodiments provide applications for such a phosphor, comprising uses in toys, emergency equipment, clothing, and instrument panels, among others.

Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides and metal oxysulfides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In one method, used to form oxyhalides and oxysulfides, metal salts are dissolved in water, and then precipitated out as fine particles using an aqueous base. After the particles are separated from the solution, they are annealed under a flow of a water saturated hydrogen anion gas, such as HCl or H2S, to form the crystalline scintillator particles The other methods take advantage of the characteristics of microemulsion solutions to control droplet size, and, thus, the particle size of the final nano-particles. For example, in one method, a first micro-emulsion containing metal salts if formed. The first micro-emulsion is mixed with an aqueous base in a second micro-emulsion to form the final nano-scale particles.

Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides and metal oxysulfides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In one method, used to form oxyhalides and oxysulfides, metal salts are dissolved in water, and then precipitated out as fine particles using an aqueous base. After the particles are separated from the solution, they are annealed under a flow of a water saturated hydrogen anion gas, such as HCl or H2S, to form the crystalline scintillator particles. The other methods take advantage of the characteristics of microemulsion solutions to control droplet size, and, thus, the particle size of the final nano-particles. For example, in one method, a first micro-emulsion containing metal salts if formed. The first micro-emulsion is mixed with an aqueous base in a second micro-emulsion to form the final nano-scale particles.

Abstract: A long-lived phosphor composition is provided, along with methods for making and using the composition. More specifically, in one embodiment, the phosphor comprises a material having a formula of Ax-y-zAl2-m-n-o-pO4:Euy, REz, Bm, Znn, Coo, Scp. In this formula, A may be Ba, Sr, Ca, or a combination of these metals, x is between about 0.75 and 1.3, y is between about 0.0005 and 0.1, z is between about 0.0005 and 0.1, m is between about 0.0005 and 0.30, n is between about 0.0005 and 0.10, o is between about 0 and 0.01 and p is between about 0 and 0.05. RE is Dy, Nd, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, methods are provided for making persistent phosphors comprising the formulations above. Other embodiments provide applications for such a phosphor, comprising uses in toys, emergency equipment, clothing, and instrument panels, among others.

Abstract: An adaptable imaging assembly is provided. The adaptable imaging assembly includes a free-standing phosphor film configured to receive incident radiation and to emit corresponding optical signals. An electronic device is coupled to the free-standing phosphor film. The electronic device is configured to receive the optical signals from the free-standing phosphor film and to generate an imaging signal. A free-standing phosphor film is also provided and includes x-ray phosphor particles dispersed in a silicone binder. A method for inspecting a component is also provided and includes exposing the component and a free-standing phosphor film to radiation, generating corresponding optical signals with the free standing phosphor film, receiving the optical signals with an electronic device coupled to the free-standing phosphor film and generating an imaging signal using the electronic device.

Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides and metal oxysulfides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In one method, used to form oxyhalides and oxysulfides, metal salts are dissolved in water, and then precipitated out as fine particles using an aqueous base. After the particles are separated from the solution, they are annealed under a flow of a water saturated hydrogen anion gas, such as HCl or H2S, to form the crystalline scintillator particles. The other methods take advantage of the characteristics of microemulsion solutions to control droplet size, and, thus, the particle size of the final nano-particles. For example, in one method, a first micro-emulsion containing metal salts if formed. The first micro-emulsion is mixed with an aqueous base in a second micro-emulsion to form the final nano-scale particles.